Although most of the country was electrified after the victory in Baltimore (during the War of 1812), the anti-war members of the Federalist Party were not. They were worried that the U.S. had no chance in beating the British, the war would help strengthen the opposing Republican party and the war would allow Napoleon to capture America, in its vulnerable state.The Federalists had been hurt economically, with the cost of the war and the impressment of their ships in Britain and many questioned why the country had gone to war due to the fact that nothing had been accomplished.
As representatives from the U.S. and Britain continued to negotiate a peace treaty to end the war, in late 1814, the Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss their dissatisfaction with the war and secession from the Union. After meeting for three weeks, the Harford Convention came to a final decision, with simple demands from the federal government; they wanted financial aid to help the trade economy and for a new amendment in the Constitution which required a two-thirds majority vote, rather than 51% majority, in order for embargoes to be imposed or wars to be declared. They also produced an absurd system of politics which included the following:
"An utter detestation of the French Revolution and of France, and a corresponding excess of attachment to Great Britain, as the only barrier against the universal, dreaded empire of France".
"A strong aversion to republics and republican government, with a profound impression that or experiment of a confederated republic had failed for want of virtue in the people".
"A deep jealousy of the Southern and Western states, and a strong disgust as the effect of he slave representation in the Constitution of the United States".
"A belief that Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison were servilely devoted to France, and under French influence".
While their demands were reasonable and their unhappiness understandable, they were presented to Congress around the same time as news of Andrew Jackson's victory against the British, in New Orleans reached Washington. As the country celebrated, the messengers from the Hartford Convention were paid little attention and were seen as unpatriotic and out of touch. As the Treaty of Ghent ended the war, people became suspicious of the treasonous Convention and, after, the Federalist party declined and died out.
Above is a list of the members of the Hartford Convention, which met privately.
Although a minority, the Federalist party that favored secession helped set a precedent for secessionists, later (in the Civil War). The Federalists were sharply criticized but no one argued against the principle of States' rights. These arguments would be seen in the 1850s, leading to the Civil War.
The Hartford Convention marks a time of sectionalism in our history. The parties of the United States had such contrasting opinions (one was thinking about secession). The Federalist party was not proud of the nation but was fearful and wanted to be secluded from the rest of the US.
The Hartford Convention
Although most of the country was electrified after the victory in Baltimore (during the War of 1812), the anti-war members of the Federalist Party were not. They were worried that the U.S. had no chance in beating the British, the war would help strengthen the opposing Republican party and the war would allow Napoleon to capture America, in its vulnerable state.The Federalists had been hurt economically, with the cost of the war and the impressment of their ships in Britain and many questioned why the country had gone to war due to the fact that nothing had been accomplished.
As representatives from the U.S. and Britain continued to negotiate a peace treaty to end the war, in late 1814, the Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss their dissatisfaction with the war and secession from the Union. After meeting for three weeks, the Harford Convention came to a final decision, with simple demands from the federal government; they wanted financial aid to help the trade economy and for a new amendment in the Constitution which required a two-thirds majority vote, rather than 51% majority, in order for embargoes to be imposed or wars to be declared. They also produced an absurd system of politics which included the following:
- "An utter detestation of the French Revolution and of France, and a corresponding excess of attachment to Great Britain, as the only barrier against the universal, dreaded empire of France".
- "A strong aversion to republics and republican government, with a profound impression that or experiment of a confederated republic had failed for want of virtue in the people".
- "A deep jealousy of the Southern and Western states, and a strong disgust as the effect of he slave representation in the Constitution of the United States".
- "A belief that Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison were servilely devoted to France, and under French influence".
While their demands were reasonable and their unhappiness understandable, they were presented to Congress around the same time as news of Andrew Jackson's victory against the British, in New Orleans reached Washington. As the country celebrated, the messengers from the Hartford Convention were paid little attention and were seen as unpatriotic and out of touch. As the Treaty of Ghent ended the war, people became suspicious of the treasonous Convention and, after, the Federalist party declined and died out.Although a minority, the Federalist party that favored secession helped set a precedent for secessionists, later (in the Civil War). The Federalists were sharply criticized but no one argued against the principle of States' rights. These arguments would be seen in the 1850s, leading to the Civil War.
The Hartford Convention marks a time of sectionalism in our history. The parties of the United States had such contrasting opinions (one was thinking about secession). The Federalist party was not proud of the nation but was fearful and wanted to be secluded from the rest of the US.